How to get EPIC Certified with No Prior Experience | With Vince

In our second episode of Candid Conversations, we speak with Vince. Similar to Ten from episode 1, Vince is currently an Epic consultant. We'll ask him how he started in the field of healthcare IT. Specifically how he started in his entry level job. Then how he worked his way up to an Epic level 1 analyst with NO formal IT (Computer science/engineering) education. For those that aren't particularly interested in Epic. Vince provides great advice on how ANY healthcare professional can land their first IT analyst role! Or for those who are like Vince and did not even have healthcare experience... learn that there is still opportunity. Please post your questions for Vince in the comments below.
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[@KaeBae_]

Wow, I'm so glad I found this channel. Since 2018, I've been interested in learning Epic software and even attempted (and failed) to get hired directly at Epic (I didn't pass the sphinx assessment 😓). But I've done so much research on different avenues and now have a final interview! I hope everyone watching this video doesn't give up hope! You can do it!

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Kae! Thank you for the feedback and thanks for sharing your situation! Hope your interview went well. You sound like someone who is bound for success. We have interviewed Vince a second time to talk about salary expectations, advancement to consulting and more. Hope you also find this follow up video helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqXfmmFn7p8Y7M

[@KaeBae_]

@@HealthTechnologywithBeek Thanks! I’m subscribed to your channel and watched your latest video with Vince. It was great! Also, I got the job and I start in May! I’m really excited and I thank you for sharing this information!

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

@@KaeBae_ Thank you for being a subscriber! And wow! Congratulations on your new job. Wonderful news! You've got a bright future ahead of you.

[@CBrickz215]

@@KaeBae_ iam currently looking to get into epic aswell. If you dont mind, out of the study sources you used which helped you out the most? Im ready to learn it allll lol

[@KaeBae_]

@@CBrickz215 Thanks for the comment! So, I took the educational route and got my Master’s degree in a health-related field. That’s how I initially found out about Epic. Then I started researching the hospitals in my area that used Epic. From there, I basically networked from internships to talking to people who worked with the system. Epic is pretty “secretive” with their proprietary/closed-source software, so they are protective of their study materials and who can access the content. Unfortunately, I can’t give you much else in regards to studying the actual system. If I were in your shoes, I’d just start with learning as much as you can about the medical field. The more you know, the better. And networking within your area is always helpful. Since covid, there’s been many hospitals who have had a lot of people quitting, so now may be the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door, if you want to get certified in an Epic module. Also be mindful about the state of the health care industry now too. I hope that helps! Take care! 😊

[@lashondabattle2627]

Good interview. Wish everyone the best with EPIC research and success.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Very kind of you. Same to you!!

[@lagensca]

Im a Medical Technologist generalist, i work in the LAB! I like EPIC, so far so good! However, three's is some room for improvement.

[@jac3744]

I do admin for a hospital, i reg, sch, call and run patient insurance and i am going back to school for information tech i am hoping to land a data analyst job, but i do want to be a Epic Consultant. I cant wait

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Best of luck to you Jac!

[@corpuzone]

I’m glad I found your channel. I love how you make everything anime haha 😂 makes this more fun to learn!! I’m interested to learn about Epic since I seen jobs online and these people make a good living 😀

[@victorespinoza6210]

Great convo and questions. Thanks for posting this

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Thank you for the feedback. It means a lot to us!

[@mema3258]

A few questions for the interviewee...Do you have any other certifications besides Epic Beaker? Are you 100% remote? How long do your contracts typically last? Do you have support directly from Epic if you need assistance? Do you also support middleware or just Epic? What's the starting salary for a new analyst?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Melissa. These are great questions. So great, we interviewed Vince a second time to help answer them. We go over your specific questions at the 36:07 minute mark of our latest conversation with Vince here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqXfmmFn7p8Y7M

[@jenniferhill4824]

This was an excellent interview… I am inspired 😊😊😊

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Love to hear it!

[@Samone8428]

It seems you have to take another position to get into the hospital to then try to get certified. I’m having no luck even though I have a degree in health administration.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Jae. From Vince's interview it seems he found success through persistence, socializing with professionals in the field, expanding his network, and persevering through all the rejections. Luck is a big factor but hopefully you can increase your chances if you do the same. Best of luck Jae! Ps. We spoke with another analyst, Ten who had a similar outlook: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6itiI2ujchkiJo

[@mizkarib]

Hey apply as a pharmacy technician. I know right now it’s in demand

[@pseudonymBOB]

I’m a Medical technologist and I wish EPIC would add an API for those of us that like logic and would like implement code to automate certain mindless tasks (will never happen). Also, I’m not happy with recent updates making EPIC visually noisier and navigation requiring more mouse clicks, I miss hotkeys, I miss tabbing 😒

[@mizkarib]

I work at an hospital as a pharmacy tech and I’ve used epic for 5 years! And I now found out that my job sponsors the certifications. Can you tell me which certification I need for epic analyst?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Kari. Yes that would be the EPIC Willow certification. We interviewed Vince a second time to directly answer your question. We discuss this question at the 47:32min mark of our latest upload: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqXfmmFn7p8Y7M

[@michaelt312]

@@Rayanaadra , her job sponsors the cert. Cert over a proficiency if you can get it ever time.

[@beautifulsoul6535]

@@HealthTechnologywithBeek I work as a scheduler in a hospital. What cert will I need

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

@@beautifulsoul6535 Epic Cadence

[@nandipatisasank6318]

Hello! I am thinking about doing epic certification on prelude/ADT module. I have one and half year of experience on central pre registration already. So, will it be easy to crack this exam? Or is there any easy or on demand module which you can suggest me😊. Please let me know... Thank you 😊

[@xoxogabrielle8005]

This helped me a lot! Thanks guys great interview and great information

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Thank you for the feedback! So happy to hear that.

[@caramelsista85]

I work as a release of information specialist for a hospital that uses Epic. What certification would you suggest I go for?

[@naomimartinez1747]

Same here! Would like to know as well

[@justinabenson7229]

Consultants can also be full time with the EHR company not just contractors

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Thank you for sharing!

[@elizabethadetoyi4918]

I really want to be certified consultants

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

@@elizabethadetoyi4918 Best of luck on your journey. We will continue interviewing EPIC folks to see how we can also follow in their lead.

[@carmenfaaiu7455]

Any tips on how to become Healthy Planet certified? I work for a huge healthcare system and have an MPH, and am interested in building my skills toward the position of Healthy Planet Analyst.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Apologies we did not get to this question on our follow up with Vince. We will try to get you this answer.

[@mohammedkhizar6920]

Hi! I work as an IT Specialist for the past 3 years and have decent framework around Epic and other EHR systems. Please advise which Epic Certification I can opt for to start my full time work as an Epic Analyst.

[@pugz023]

hi, what certifications you took and learn for it specialist and ehr systems?

[@melissabryant9019]

My hospital just went to epic and it’s horrible! Whoever built the system didn’t do a good job. It just added more work for us.

[@lionessontherise2403]

Naa I’ve done 3 hospital do lives it depends on the pieces your organization chose and what they’ve input. You have to build the system for each department in your organization to run smoothly across the board

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

We've also seen a shift in workflow during implementations that disrupts the current clinical flow. The org gains standardization but that may mean added work for some folks.

[@ryanweaver962]

EMR and studies and interoperable systems need to be safe and the work needs better… it’s not optional ya’ll.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

No room for errors

[@Jlukemain]

What was the job description you had at Labcorp? I’m trying to get my foot into the door but i’m not sure where to start. I have a Bachelors in MLS and ASCP certified. I’m more interested in the IT side and wanting to make the transition. Any advice would really help!

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Vince had an entry level role at Labcorp. According to Vince, luck and persistence was the key. Frankly the challenge with getting an Epic analyst role specifically is getting a healthcare org to sponsor you for training. This is a great goal to have but to get there, several other stepping stone roles help build your experience and network. For example, a lateral change into a IT support role, any kind of application support role in lab software, application specialist roles to train other users. Try looking for jobs directly on the websites of the applications you use in the lab. Networking is important. Try to meet the IT folks at your job and see what's available. Ask them for advice. Build basic IT skills by learning very high level, basic sql, networking, workflows, etc.

[@Daphneamy360]

Suscribed I need to know EHR System I notice the guy said alot of ummms 😄

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Umm 👀

[@xiaojinshou901]

This video is so helpful! My hospital is switching from Cerner to EPIC EMR. I am interested in the workflow engine rule or reporting. Do you know whether these are programming task (like SQL or other languages) or a task of filling an EPIC template? What EPIC certification should I have for these jobs? Appreciate for your help!

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Sorry Xiao. We've asked around but still can't find the answer to this question. Hopefully you were able to address this question elsewhere. We can continue to ask our colleagues.

[@08mamallama]

Hey! This comment has been here a while so you may have an answer already, the workflow engine utilizes XML I believe and there are a few ways you could do reporting. Within Epic reporting uses SQL principles but you wouldn't directly write SQL, if you're on a reporting team that create reports from epic databases outside Epic you would use SQL.

[@sexychicooh]

You are so blessed to transition to Epic....

[@delainecampbell5996]

It’s still not telling me how to get to be a consultant for Epic

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Delaine. Sorry you did not find this video helpful. Are you currently an EPIC analyst looking to become a consultant? Do you have any specific questions that we can ask during our next interview?

[@annetteb4930]

You need to work for a healthcare facility that will sponsor you, or be hired by a consulting firm and they sponsor you or get hired by EPIC.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Delaine. We answer your question directly on our latest interview with Vince. Hopefully we address your question better here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqXfmmFn7p8Y7M

[@misunderstoodlegend1264]

Where can I learn the basics how to use epic system ? Any demos available?

[@francissantiago9650]

Agree also he did had it exp with lab corp and got into epic by the hospital he worked

[@chidominic700]

Hi all. Hopefully, I will get someone who knows this to enlighten me. Is Epic COGITO, CLARITY, or Caboodle a stand-alone certification, Can I go for either certification first, or does one need to start with inpatient or Ambulatory modules?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

I could be wrong but these are standalone teams which have standalone certifications. Dont think ambulatory is a pre-req for those. Again, not really sure as we dont know anyone who has those particular certs.

[@dianasanclemente1866]

How can I find out if my hospital is an Epic sponsor?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

From what the consultants are saying 1. If your hospital already has EPIC EHR, it's possible they may sponsor you 2. If your hospital is considering to replace the current EHR with EPIC this would be the best time as they could be actively searching. You'd have to ask around. Would help if you knew anyone on the EHR/EMR team.

[@delainecampbell5996]

So once again how do you become a consultant steps

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Hi Delaine. We have a brand new video dedicated to you. Vince provides you detailed steps on exactly how to become a consultant. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKqXfmmFn7p8Y7M

[@natashaw.9535]

How long does it take to get results from the Epic Skills Assessment test?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

From the comments section and what some analysts are saying, it seems you may never find out. Some places use it as a tool to determine who to hire. We hear not all institutions place the same emphasis on this test when considering their applicants. Sorry for the late reply.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Btw I may be wrong on this. But if you are referring to the Sphinx test that's as far as we've found out.

[@wchomes106]

instantaneous - the score is emailed to you within 5 minutes

[@maroon9273]

Is it lab port when the interviewee started clinical technology?

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

LabCorp

[@mariacarrillo6684]

Ummms , ya 😊

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

😉

[@luvingmom82]

This is so hard to take seriously when the whole time I can only ask why did the creator of this video make him wear shorts and flops or slippers like he was home remote and only the upper half was of importance despite being right in front of someone.

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

LOL this is the best comment! Sorry! We couldn't help ourselves. Truthfully.. this is how we all dress 😄

[@danacaro-herman3530]

The person is not very well spoken, using ya and uhhh, very professional 🙄

[@HealthTechnologywithBeek]

Thanks for the feedback

[@vicauto1846]

That's what makes it interesting. Loosen up a bit. It's not that deep

[@jonathanrayne]

Sorry, I can't watch these damn cartoon characters.